“I’m so sorry! I didn’t expect I would have to call the guests, so the house is a bit messy.”

“Eh? No problem! It’s fine! Pretty! Pretty! Mimi’s room is way more amazing!”

“Oh dear, no, that’s not good. We must tidy up properly.”

A woman affectionately patted Mimi’s head, who was flapping her legs excitedly on the sofa. Mimi purred happily, clearly trusting the woman.

Meanwhile, Garfiel observed the scene in silence, watching the woman.

She had long, lush golden hair that reached her waist. Her fair skin had a delicate yet feminine plumpness to it. There was an aura of softness about her features, complemented by her tranquil, clear green eyes.

While she looked youthful enough to pass for her mid-twenties, Garfiel knew she was closer to her mid-thirties.

The stark contrast in appearance was another reason for the turmoil in Garfiel’s heart.

“Is it that you, the Gorgeous Tiger, dislike tea? I’m so sorry. I didn’t even ask for your preferences before serving it…”

The woman, introducing herself as Riala Thompson, frowned slightly at Garfiel’s continued silence.

Remembering that he hadn’t even touched the cup of tea set before him, Garfiel hurriedly grabbed it.

“No, that’s not it… I was just… surprised by the size of the house.”

“Ah, is that so? It’s true that our place is quite large… But that means cleaning up every day is a hassle. I tend to be rather careless.”

Garfiel’s vague excuse was accepted by Riala without question.

With her hand on her mouth, she laughed elegantly, her attire perfectly tailored to match the grandeur of the home.

Everything about her—the smile, the purring tone, the gestures—triggered nostalgic feelings within Garfiel.

Yet Riala said nothing in response to Garfiel’s scrutinizing gaze, tightening the already painful knot in his heart.

Garfiel couldn’t help but think that the woman named Riala Thompson looked strikingly like his biological mother—Leecia Tinsel.

Of course, Garfiel had parted with his mother just after his birth. It was a separation before he even had conscious memories, making his recollections of her virtually nonexistent.

Even so, the image of his mother was vividly etched in his mind, thanks to the “Trial” at the graveyard in the Sanctuary, where he had witnessed the past of their parting.

He remembered her face, her voice, and her love—all those emotions surfaced during the “Trial.”

Simultaneously, the Trial had revealed to him that his mother had met a tragic end shortly after their separation.

Thus, for Garfiel, any reunion with his mother remained an impossible dream.

Then what was this woman standing before him?

“Mimi, your ear fur looks so fluffy! Can I touch it?”

“Of course!”

As Mimi offered her head for Riala to stroke, the woman was clearly delighted as she reveled in the texture.

With an almost childlike smile and a demeanor that showed no signs of caution, it was evident she easily welcomed even a suspicious-looking man and a beastgirl into her home.

Every facet of her persona was reminiscent of his mother.

Leecia had been a tragically unfortunate woman. Her family had met financial ruin, leaving her sold to a slave merchant. On the way home, the slave merchant had been ambushed by a subhuman band, where Leecia had become a plaything for half-beast men.

Her sister Frederica fell pregnant, and when Leecia’s belly grew, the band discarded her carelessly. Later, Leecia was captured by another gang, where she spent a long time.

Frederica would have been a part of that band as a child. Although she was reluctant to speak of that time, considering that Leecia had managed to leave the gang right after conceiving Garfiel, it could hardly have been a good environment.

After enduring a life steeped in immense misfortune, Leecia would wander while pregnant with her daughter. Fortunately, she was saved by the peculiar noble Roswaal.

Roswaal made it a condition for Leecia to raise her children in the Sanctuary, ensuring her safety and providing for her needs. Therefore, it was in the Sanctuary that Garfiel was born under Ryuzu’s care.

Put simply, when it came to words, Leecia’s life could be described as horrifically tragic.

However, those who truly knew her—the people who could see beyond a mere bullet point list of hardships—had a distinctly different take on her character.

“Leecia was… somehow, an extraordinarily positive girl. Surely, she must have faced days where she could have died. Yet she always said that tomorrow might bring something good. Though today was harsh, tomorrow could be better. Just as she had brought forth two children, she believed happiness could find its way to her.”

“To others, my mother may have been seen as a foolish woman to be shunned. To be honest, I sometimes think she could have lived life more wisely… But my mother was a wonderful person. That is undeniable and absolutely true. I loved my mother, and I truly am glad to have been her child.”

“Your mother… Leecia, right? Yeah. I have to say, I haven’t exchanged many words with her directly, but… she was a mysterious person. Rather than mysterious, perhaps it would be more accurate to say she was incomprehensible. Her sense of happiness was unusually sensitive. Even the tiniest things could bring her joy. She could find happiness even amidst misfortune. I can’t say I disliked her.”

Neither Ryuzu, Frederica, nor even Roswaal had ever spoken ill of her.

And those who knew her in the Sanctuary echoed the same sentiments.

Garfiel thought she must have had the kind of sunny disposition that made her stand out.

After all, how else could she have left her children behind and embarked on a foolhardy quest to find a father who had brought her so much pain?

Moreover, to have died just after… where was the happiness in that?

—Even now, the answer to where her happiness truly lay remained elusive.

“I thought I had come to terms with never finding it…”

Garfiel clenched his fists tightly, nearly digging into his palms until it almost bled.

He had believed he had given up. It was a question he had thought he would need to digest over time.

Yet why, at this moment, did it have to manifest before him again?

With a demeanor that suggested she knew nothing about him.

“——”

He stole glances at her demeanor, trying to remain unnoticed.

There was not a hint of awkwardness. With a completely natural composure, Riala treated Garfiel as though he were a stranger.

Could that be her answer?

That her life was new. That she knew nothing of Garfiel. That she had pushed away promises made long ago and moved forward to live happily.

That she did not know him—was that the answer from his mother?

“Mimi!”

“Mom, I’m hungry!”

The quiet living room where Garfiel sat was soon filled with the noise as his younger brother and sister descended, newly dressed.

His elder sister shot a stern glare at him before rushing to their mother and saying,

“Hey, Mom. Let’s send the guests home and eat.”

“Don’t say that, Sis! The Gorgeous and Mimi helped Fred! They almost drowned while playing on the ship.”

“Hmph, really? Honestly, isn’t it likely that this Gorgeous guy rocked the boat himself? Trying to worm his way into our family for money?”

“Hey now, Sis! That’s terrible! But you’re right. We should thank them since they helped Fred… would money suffice?”

“Mom!”

His sister panicked, sensing her remark would wreak havoc on their family finances, while Riala looked thoughtfully puzzled by the commotion from her kids.

Watching their amusing parent-child exchange felt like walking barefoot over thorns to Garfiel. He downed his tea in one go and set the cup down with a clatter.

“Seems I’m not welcome, so I’ll take my leave,” he grunted.

“Huh? Why not?”

“Doesn’t matter!”

As Garfiel attempted to leave with Mimi, she protested, but he paid her no mind. Riala wore a sad expression, while his little sister stuck her tongue out at him in farewell.

As Garfiel respected her sentiment—

“It’s okay, Gorgeous Tiger.”

His younger brother had grabbed the hem of his coat, blocking Garfiel’s path.

For a moment, Garfiel hesitated to shrug off the small hand clutching him. He couldn’t tell why he hesitated, but—

“Geez! What’s with you, Fred?”

His sister was fuming, hands on her hips, about to lunge at Fred, but right before she could, Riala clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.

“Now now, everyone needs to play nice. Right? We can’t simply send our guests away like this. Fred seems to want it this way too, so Sis, no unreasonable demands.”

“But, Mom…”

“No but! Gorgeous and Mimi should stay just a little longer, okay? I’d be thrilled if we could all have dinner together. Today’s meal is something special to me!”

“Mom always says that…”

“Well, of course! I’m always giving it my all for you!”

Riala struck a weak, flexed pose, leaving everyone disarmed. Only Garfiel retained a grim expression.

The warm atmosphere that began to form pierced through the current state of Garfiel’s heart.

With Riala’s words, the children wore expressions of glee and reluctant acceptance.

It felt as though everything he feared was about to come true.

“I appreciate the invitation but I have others waiting for me. If I take too long, I might cause them worry. So, I really must leave.”

“——”

As he bore the pain in his chest, Garfiel silently hoped his voice wouldn’t quiver.

That response caused his siblings to tense up, while Riala furrowed her brow and lowered her gaze.

However,

“Understood. It would serve no purpose to force you to stay against your will. As they say, ‘Guests deserve hospitality and commitment’.”

“——”

It was perhaps that exchange that pierced Garfiel’s heart deeper than any feeling of defeat at the hands of Reinhardt or shock at Riala’s appearance.

He instinctively placed a hand on his chest, as if to assure himself that he wasn’t splitting apart.

Seeing Garfiel in such a state, Mimi gently urged, “Let’s go.”

Mimi, who moments ago had seemed reluctant, now led Garfiel out.

As they approached the living room door, a distinguished gentleman with a fine beard opened it.

Dressed sharply and emanating a vigorous aura, the man’s voice and appearance hinted that he was a capable individual.

Behind him, the children shouted joyously.

“Hey, who’s this? I don’t recognize that face.”

“Gorgeous Tiger!”

“Intruder!”

“Eh?”

The contrasting attitudes of his children caused the man to tilt his head in confusion. His gaze then fell to Riala, who stood quietly in the living room.

At the sight of the man’s affectionate gaze, Riala softened her expression.

It was the tipping point.

“It’s nothing major! Don’t mind me. I’m just leaving.”

Garfiel quickly excused himself, dragging Mimi along as he roughly passed by the gentleman.

“Gorgeous Tiger!”

A sad voice called from behind, but Garfiel had no energy to respond.

What was ‘Gorgeous’? What was ‘Tiger’? Where in him was the golden tiger?

A tiger was strong, powerful, and unyielding.

In no way did he feel like a tiger.

Real tigers wouldn’t lament over trivial matters like this —!

“Garf! My hand hurts!”

“——”

Lost in thought, Garfiel hadn’t noticed Mimi’s plea for attention.

He finally recognized his tight grip had caused her distress as he felt the pressure of her small hand turning blue.

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to…”

“Garf, you were acting weird. My hand really hurts.”

Mimi’s weak voice caused Garfiel to place a hand on his forehead.

Their awkward silence was brushed by the humid wind of the water city.

It seemed day had turned to dusk as the city became illuminated by the glowing magical lamps.

The waterway mirrored the lights, creating a serene beauty, but he wasn’t in the mood to appreciate it now.

“If you both would!”

As they stood there in silence, a breathless voice reached them.

Looking up, Garfiel saw the previous gentleman emerge from the light of the lamps. The man, having removed his coat, approached them, resting a hand on his knee.

“Ha, ha, caught up to you. I really should stay more active; it feels like I’ve lost my endurance with all the desk work…”

“…Do you have something you need from us?”

Garfiel found little interest in the man’s self-reflection.

While not as toxic as Riala or the kids, the sight of this man now felt poisonous to Garfiel. Garfiel spoke in a hushed, almost hostile tone, unnoticed by the gentleman.

“No, I heard it from my wife. They said you are the benefactor to my son. It would be dreadful to let you leave without properly expressing gratitude!”

“…It wasn’t really a big deal. No need to exaggerate.”

“My children are valuable to me, no matter the cost. If you helped them out of a tough spot, that makes it all the more significant. I truly wish I could show my appreciation… Ah, I apologize. I am Gallec. Gallec Thompson. I serve at the City Hall of Pristella, so if you need anything…”

“Really, it’s nothing…”

As Garfiel attempted to create distance from the formal gentleman, he suddenly found himself at a loss for words. If he were truly Riala’s husband and knew her intimately…

“Could I ask just one thing…?”

“Of course! Anything I can answer, I will.”

Both Riala and Fred were kind. Even Gallec, too, seemed overly kind. Only his daughter showed proper caution.

As Garfiel contemplated this, he carefully chose his words.

“Is your wife… is Riala really her true name?”

“——”

The atmosphere shifted.

Gallec’s smile faded in an instant at Garfiel’s question.

He seemed to mull over Garfiel’s query in his mind, before responding in a lowered voice.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean it just as it is. No need for subtleties. I want a straight answer. Your wife is really not Riala, but Leecia, isn’t she?”

“——!”

Gallec’s expression shifted to one of evident panic at Garfiel’s straightforward approach.

Gallec opened and closed his mouth as if trying to find the right words, then gulped audibly.

“What do you… what do you know about her?”

“That’s what I want to know.”

“——”

Gallec’s voice quivered as he replied honestly.

Having absorbed those words, Gallec went silent, deep in thought. Garfiel awaited his response, Meanwhile, Mimi grasped his opposite hand.

Looking toward her, he noted the innocent smile she wore.

“…It seems it would be better if I told you the whole truth.”

Stealing glances at Mimi’s smile, Gallec sighed. A mix of fatigue and slight resignation was evident in his expression. Garfiel raised his brow, intrigued by what Gallec might say next.

Then he continued, “My wife, Riala, lost all her memories since we met fifteen years ago.”

**

Gallec’s first encounter with Riala happened long before he became an influential figure in Pristella. At the time, he was merely a dealer with humble beginnings.

That day, while returning from a distant business meeting with his dragon carriage, he came across a path blocked by a landslide.

In the wake of losing that proposition and struggling with debts, Gallec felt frustration mounting.

—Amid the wreckage, he discovered a woman buried alive.

It could only be described as a miracle.

His refusal to take a detour, desperately seeking a way through.

It had stopped raining just at that moment, allowing his sight to clear.

He had arrived just after the landslide occurred, meaning that the woman had been trapped for a very short time.

A perfect storm of coincidences came together, leading to her rescue.

Covered in mud, she had nothing with her. Gallec carried the unconscious woman into town and rushed her to a healing clinic.

“She was in a very precarious state. She had a high fever and injuries all over her body and was dealing with multiple fractures. At one point during her treatment, her heart actually stopped.”

Throughout the tense treatment, both the staff and Gallec fervently wished for her recovery. Gallec himself didn’t even know why everyone had put in so much effort.

No, Gallec did have a reason, but he couldn’t understand why others had fought so diligently for her.

Ultimately, he was genuinely grateful for everybody’s support.

“Thanks to all the hard work, she survived. Although she still bore grave injuries, it was such a relief when we crossed the hurdle. I still remember how it felt when she awoke a week later… I stayed in town, waiting for her to gain consciousness.”

His business deal had fallen through, and the future of Gallec’s trading company seemed bleak.

Questions loomed in his mind regarding why he chose to forgo spending time for money in such dire circumstances. There was no clear answer. Only the inexplicable urge that had anchored Gallec to that spot remained.

After a week, the woman finally woke up.

People rejoiced at her awakening, and she trembled, weakly querying, “Who am I? I remember saying those words.”

The woman did not remember her name, nor anything else.

She had no idea who she was, where she came from, or what she had been trying to accomplish. She couldn’t even recall the events leading to her encounter with the landslide.

Everyone who met her could only feel helpless in her absence of identity.

The only tangible clue they had was the clothing she wore at the time of the accident. The initials sewn into it hinted that her first letter or family name began with “Ri.”

“They named her Riala, after a blooming flower. And I ended up becoming responsible for her well-being after her recovery.”

As her wounds slowly healed, it wasn’t long before she was ready to leave the clinic.

Riala had nowhere to go, yet she remained bright and cheerful. She had a remarkable ability to bring smiles to those around her, almost as if the tragedy that befell her was a lie.

She must have felt anxious.

Losing one’s memories was akin to losing oneself entirely.

Yet, she managed to keep smiling, perhaps because she needed to.

There may have been kindness toward those around as well.

However, the deepest reason was likely that she didn’t want to confront the fact that she was unhappy.

“I still remember the tension I felt when I asked her to come with me. The wait for her answer must have been the most suffocating moment of my life. More so than when I finally proposed.”

Thus, Riala accepted Gallec’s invitation, and they set off together to Pristella.

The reasons why she hadn’t been abandoned and why he waited for her to awaken were quite simple.

Since the moment he had carried her from the landslide, tended to clean her face of the mud, Gallec had already fallen in love with her.

“Since Riala joined me, my long-unfortunate trading company experienced rapid recovery. People claim it was all because of my competence, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Riala is the one who brought me luck. Because of her, I can now manage my business and help run this city while being a father at the same time.”

“——”

“I love my wife. My children are dear to me. I used to be concerned about her past, but I no longer do. No matter what her past holds, she is my wife, and an important person to me.”

Having concluded his story of the journey they had undertaken, Gallec shyly added this final remark.

Silently, Garfiel gazed upward.

The darkness above was scattered with stars.

What must the round moon and twinkling stars think of him now?

“I hesitate to ask this, but I want to know.”

“…”

“What is your… relationship with my wife, Riala?”

What an incredibly cruel question it was.

Garfiel lowered his gaze from the sky to meet Gallec’s calm eyes, which held a definite resolve while looking at him.

He wasn’t so dull that he couldn’t decipher the emotions contained within that gaze or the meaning behind the words.

He also understood well what the correct answer should be.

“——”

He opened his mouth, only to close it again.

He inhaled, exhaled, inhaled, exhaled again.

His heart raced. He felt dizzy. A throbbing pain in his head made him feel nauseous.

The swirling tide of emotions tightened painfully around his chest, on the verge of crushing him.

—Amidst this turmoil, he felt the gentle grip of Mimi’s hand.

“I am…”

“——”

“I have nothing to do… with your wife.”

He declared.

He had said it, and now it was all done.

The feelings that had whirled in Garfiel’s chest dissolved swiftly.

What remained was a sense of loss and a stifling sense of emptiness. Gallec’s expression darkened as he looked down, trembling lips shivering.

“I’m sorry…”

With that agonized expression, he bowed his head.

Yet, Garfiel derived no comfort from Gallec’s response in that moment.

Enough already. Stop it. He wanted nothing more than to avoid being hurt anymore.

What went wrong? Who was at fault? Was it him, or Gallec? Whom should he blame? Whom should he crush, chew, or throw away?

What should he do to be rid of this emotional pain?

“You…! Oh, thank goodness. Gorgeous and Mimi are here too!”

Garfiel felt the urge to scream.

He felt as if he might unleash a scream rooted in despair.

So terrifyingly, the sight in front of him felt more dangerous than any blade.

“Riala, why…”

“I figured you might be holding back, so I thought I’d stop you. I could not let you leave without sending you home with something.”

Shocked at seeing his wife’s sudden appearance, Gallec was caught off guard as Riala winks and glided past him.

She turned directly to the startled Garfiel, extending her hand.

“Here, I made these snacks for you. It’s not much of a thank you, but I’m confident in the taste, so please take them. I insist!”

“…Ah.”

That grin she wore was so innocent.

Garfiel, frozen in place, found himself speechless, holding his breath.

Gallec’s expression became painful as he processed the exchange between the two.

No one could interject during this slight. It was evident that the meaning of it hung heavy in the air.

So Garfiel, suddenly desperate, broke the moment.

“Yay! Snacks! I’m going to show off to the young lady!”

In an unwavering burst of cheer, Mimi snatched the bag of snacks from Riala and beamed her toothy smile.

Gallec’s face went blank with astonishment, and Garfiel couldn’t muster a word. Only Riala grinned brightly, pleased at Mimi’s enthusiasm.

“I’m glad you said that! Please send my regards to that young lady too!”

“Okay! Sure thing! I’ll deliver the message!”

Mimi placed a salute with the hand that wasn’t clutching Garfiel’s, hurriedly stashing the snack bag into her clothes and roughly thumping Garfiel’s back.

The force of her blow made Garfiel cough as he staggered backwards, but Mimi only laughed.

“Okay, time for us to go now! Gorgeous Tiger and Gorgeous Mimi are outta here!”

“Yes, please be careful. And Gorgeous, do try not to fall into the waterway.”

Mimi tugged on Garfiel’s hand as Riala waved her small hand.

Mimi, all smiles, waved back at Riala as Riala cheerfully waved her arm even higher. The heartwarming scene only showcased the pain etched on the two men’s faces.

“——”

Garfiel moved forward, dragged by Mimi, continuing along the riverbank.

Mimi said nothing to Garfiel, who focused on the silhouettes of Riala and the children until they faded from view.

Then he spoke.

“Hey, little one…”

“—Touya!”

He tried calling out to Mimi, but her sudden action interrupted him.

Still holding Garfiel’s hand, Mimi leapt energetically onto the adjacent building. She aimed for the edge of the three-story stone structure, climbing upward.

Garfiel, inevitably following, hopped onto the same ledge as they reached the rooftop in three quick jumps.

“Yay! That felt nice!”

“Seriously? What was that all about…”

Mimi, soaking in the wind’s coolness, had him curiously inquire about the odd behavior. As Garfiel stepped in front of her, he caught sight of the serious look on her face.

Her round eyes captured him, and for some reason, Garfiel experienced a surge of discomfort.

As Garfiel fell silent, Mimi suddenly broke into a frown.

“Hey, Garf, are you about to cry?”

“W-what?! Why would you say something like that?”

“I know Garf is strong, but you don’t have to act tough, right? Riala is Garfiel’s mom, isn’t she?”

“——”

Mimi’s unexpected remark caused Garfiel to hold his breath.

Mimi was quick on the uptake, recognizing the flow of conversation and arriving at that conclusion. However, she had no inkling of Garfiel’s family matters at all and appeared anything but perceptive.

Yet, her articulation of such a fact struck true, compelling Garfiel to feel rattled.

“W-why… do you think that?”

“Because, you and Riala smell super similar! Your children’s smells were sort of like you, Garfiel! So, I just thought that might be the case!”

Her reasoning was not particularly logical, but the stark honesty behind her wild instincts cut through the truth.

When it came to mere words, he could argue back, but with her observation of something unchangeable, Garfiel was left without a rebuttal.

Collapsed into a heap, Garfiel gazed blankly at the sky.

The stars and moon continued gazing down upon him, unchanged.

“So… is it true then? Is Riala your mom?”

“…I have no idea. Is she truly my mother?”

Garfiel buried his face in his palms as he reflected on Mimi’s notion.

He was lost. What he felt deep in his heart was that uncertainty.

He believed Riala was indeed Leecia.

However, as Gallec had explained and as Riala’s actions had suggested, Riala had entirely forgotten her past as Leecia.

Having forgotten everything, she now built her life as Riala, bearing children and blissfully living on.

“So, does that mean those two count as my younger brother and sister?”

While this thought hadn’t crossed his mind until then, it was exactly the same as his relationship with Frederica. That meant, in essence, they were Garfiel’s beloved younger siblings—a long-desired brother and sister he had never had.

—But no one would wish for such a situation.

“Coming forward wouldn’t solve a thing, would it?”

Riala had forgotten her life as Leecia.

Even if Garfiel revealed everything he knew, the fifteen years Riala spent as Leecia remained immutable, and the years she should have spent in the identity of Leecia had evaporated entirely.

Riala would inevitably inherit a burden of guilt for the fifteen years she needn’t bear, alongside the loss of the life she could have led as Leecia. Gallec would witness the sorrow of his wife, and the children, unknowing, would be unable to fathom their mother’s pain.

Ultimately, it would merely serve Garfiel’s own sense of satisfaction.

Even if he made Riala acknowledge her past as Leecia, he would not gain anything of true value.

Frederica and Ryuzu remained oblivious to this current state of affairs, and unless Garfiel decided to reveal the truth, they would remain unaware.

The Riala family had no means to know the past without Garfiel mentioning it; the blissful moments they shared would remain unscathed, preserved.

If Garfiel could sincerely learn to let go of everything he held tightly, it seemed to him that all of it would resolve itself.

Yet, the question lingered.

“Why can’t I…?”

Why couldn’t he muster the resolve to relinquish, decide to forget, or find the courage to keep it all bottled up?

Where had the tiger gone? Show me the way.

The strength to carry burdens while standing straight, without feeling crushed.

Teach me, oh tiger, oh tiger. The true tiger will remain undefeated by anyone.

“——”

Gripping his head, he fought back the swell of emotions, shouted curses reverberating in his mind, preparing to toss everything aside—suddenly Garfiel realized.

“Gah, no way!”

His head felt encircled within a small embrace, warm fingers gently stroking his hair.

“——”

Mimi had knelt behind him, arms wrapped around his shoulders.

Resting her chin atop his head, her tiny palms gently stroked Garfiel’s hair. He felt a warm sensation that dulled the pulsing ache in his skull.

“What is this all about…?”

Mimi remarked playfully, “Hmmm, I thought Garf would want to cry! But you know, guys can’t cry unless they’re in a safe place, right? Oh, I remember someone mentioning that!”

Though it certainly didn’t answer much, it was one of those spontaneous remarks.

To keep his voice steady, Garfiel cautiously said the next words.

As he embraced Garf, Mimi grinned cheerily, “By the way, I don’t really remember where I heard it from, but it seemed like it was the heart of a girl? Or something? It was definitely a place where a guy can cry!!”

“…Who’d want to cry in front of a munchkin like you?”

His crush, the troublesome lady who never looked his way, never cared for him when he wanted her compassion, only to act kind at the least expected moments before making him pay double for it later.

She bore no resemblance to this girl.

Yet, despite Garfiel’s retort, Mimi maintained her cheerful demeanor.

“Hmm, but it’s okay! Even if you don’t love me, I love you! Look! This girl loves you! Mimi’s your biggest fan! So you can cry and it’s all good!!”

“——”

What an absurd proclamation.

What on earth was that? A word game? Childish rationalizations? Nothing but sheer nonsense.

Nonsense—but infuriating nonsense.

Tiger, tiger, where did you go?

Return to my heart this very moment. Roar furiously, and yank me upright. Help me subdue these feelings somehow.

If I don’t, if I don’t, if I don’t, I might not get my chance.

“Mom…”

Stop it, stop it, please just stop.

I don’t want to voice this weak whining.

I’m a tiger, a tiger! The strongest, the best—no one’s shield is firmer or tougher than mine!

Yet…

“Mom… mother… maaa…!!”

“Good boy, good boy.”

“Why?! Why are you forgetting me?! After finally… finally meeting me! You won’t even let me call out to you?!”

“Don’t you worry. Everything’s fine, Garf!”

“Mother… m-mother… I just want to see you, mother…!”

Tiger, tiger, where did you go?

For what do I appear? Stars, moon, sky, reveal it to me!

What do I look like now?

If I’m not an uproarious tiger, what am I now?!

 

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